Tag Archives: Michigan

Farming in the Big City

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Farming in the Big City

 
 
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As a changing climate and urbanizing population continually alter the landscape of the US, many of us are asking the question: what is the future of food production? Increasingly, answers to that question include some aspect of urban agriculture, especially in Detroit, a globalized recognized hub of urban agriculture. To learn a bit more about this side of food production, It’s Hot In Here hosts sat down (virtually) to speak with Naim Edwards, the director of Michigan State University (MSU) Detroit Partnership in Food, Learning and Innovation. 

After graduating from Morehouse College, Edwards became intrigued by food systems and the power of local economies during his time as a Peace Core Volunteer in Ecuador. Upon the completion of his volunteer service, Edwards returned to school to receive his M.S. from the University of Michigan’s School of the Environment and Sustainability (formerly the School for Natural Resources and the Environment) where he specialized in urban garden management. Since 2018, Edwards has acted as the director of the Detroit Partnership program which saw its first year of operations in 2019. As director, his responsibilities include the development of the physical space as a center for urban agriculture and forestry research, conducting and facilitating said research, as well as public outreach. 

The Partnership is located at a site leased by MSU from the city of Detroit that holds both arable land as well as a learning center. This combination allows the site to house a diverse set of research opportunities and community programs. Ongoing research projects are examining the usage of biochar in compost, the conservation of perennial fruit pollinators, and native plants while the learning center hosts programs around financial management, food preservation, home ownership, nutrition, counseling, job preparation, 4H youth programs, robotics, etc. Edwards notes that this is part of their commitment to sharing their resources with the public.

Edwards also breaks down some of the characteristics that distinguish urban agriculturalists from traditional rural agriculturalists. Since urban agriculture is defined by population density and small scale, this creates a set of challenges unique to this type of agriculture. Urban farmers must be mindful of the potential noises, smells, risks, and overall public impact that these spaces might have, a problem more rural farmers don’t have. He notes that successful urban agriculturalists require social skills and the ability to resolve any conflicts that arrive with the surrounding community. Being in an urban center also means that urban farms or gardens must adhere to the policies or ordinances laid out by the city which are generally stricter than in rural areas, presenting another set of issues for urban agriculturalists. 

Nonetheless, the field urban agricultural is only expanding as a response to issues such as food deserts and poverty that disproportionately affect communities of color. Looking forward, Edwards’ philosophy – that everyone should be able to access good food – points him to potential ways we can think about the future of urban agriculture. These include engaging the residents of urban areas in food production, developing a more defined set of best practices, normalizing edible landscapes, and reframing our most basic ideas around food. 

A Meditation on Juliana v. United States

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A Meditation on Juliana v. United States

 
 
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In August 2015, 21 plaintiffs, ranging from 8-19 years old at the initial hearing, filed a landmark lawsuit against the United States as well as many specific members of the Federal Government. In short, their claim was that the U.S. Government had knowingly violated the rights of the plaintiffs and future generations, by encouraging, subsidizing, and permitting activities relating to carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions. The consequences of these actions will infringe on the plaintiffs constitutional rights to life and liberty. They further asserted that, since most of their generation does not yet have the right to vote, they had been robbed of their future before they even had a say.

Remarkably, the case made its way through the legal system to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals before it was dismissed there and is currently pending on appeal, which many hope could be won such that it would move forward to the Supreme Court in 2021. In the meantime, the Juliana v. US case has sparked a litany of opinion pieces, amicus curiae briefs, and academic attention.

It has even grabbed the attention of Lisa Heinzerling, the Justice William J. Brennan, Jr., Professor of Law at the Georgetown University Law Center. Heinzerling is an award winning professor and researcher, as well as an expert in the fields of administrative law, environmental law, food law, and torts. She has also published several books, notably: Priceless: On Knowing the Price of Everything and the Value of Nothing.

In this “meditation,” Heinzerling takes us along on the journey of Juliana v. US, as only an expert can. Explaining the complexities of the case and its many appeals in common language, Heinzerling notes how fascinating this case truly is, its impact after its dismissal, and the future implications of climate law. Ultimately, Juliana v. US was dismissed on a technicality, and even then it was dismissed 2-1. By comparing this case to one with a related one: Exxon v. Healey, Heinzerling explores the possibility that this may be only the beginning of this sort of lawsuit and expresses her dissatisfaction with the dismissal of Juliana v. US.

Part of the Environmental Law & Policy Program Lecture Series. 

Financing a Sustainable Future

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Financing a Sustainable Future

 
 
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In the coming years, climate finance and sustainable investing will likely be some of the most transformed sectors in the world. David Blood, co-founder and Senior Partner of Generation Investment Management (GIM), joins the University of Michigan community to share his expertise and 30+ years of experience on the cutting edge of sustainable finance.

Chairman of Dialight, one of the co-chairs of The World Resources Institute, board member of several organizations, such as: On the Edge Conservation and The SHINE Group, David Blood has one of the most impressive resumés and investment portfolios in the world. In a talk given at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, Blood outlined his past experiences within the investment sector and where he sees the field moving in the near future.

From education to child psychology to finance to leading the world in sustainable investing, David Blood came to the forefront of the investing world when he left an 18-year long career at Goldman-Sachs to join Al Gore in founding GIM. A mission driven institution, GIM has lead the charge on divestment, redefined best practices, and incorporated social justice and equity throughout their portfolio. They are now one of the most successful investment agencies in the world.

In the past, investing has revolved around two aspects: risk and return. Impact has traditionally been viewed as a side effect of the process, not a consideration. However, as Blood notes, “all investing has impact,” and whether that be positive or negative is the “fiduciary duty” of the investor. GIM has set the bar for incorporating impact into their mission.

“All investing has impact.”

– David Blood

Blood believes that sustainability and climate are current and future drivers of economies and that the shift towards a “green economy” will happen sooner than people think. Cautioning the public not to assume that what has happened in the past will also happen in the future, Blood predicts that the coming years will entail “the most significant economic shift in history.”  

“It cannot be incremental, it must be transformational.”

– David Blood

Following Blood’s talk, a panel of experts convened to discuss sustainable finance and divestment within the state of Michigan. The panelists were:

The panel discussed transitioning to a sustainable economy, the potential of a carbon tax, what a just transition would entail, and some obstacles that prevent sustainable investing. Using real data and their collective decades of expertise, the panel predicted what urgency in the economic sector will look like over the next few years. The evening concluded with a Q&A section.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion with Sonia Joshi

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Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion with Sonia Joshi

 
 
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In 2016 the University of Michigan embarked on a five year strategic plan to incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) more comprehensively throughout the campus. Now in the fourth year of the initiative, Sonia Joshi, the first DEI program manager for the University of Michigan’s School for the Environment and Sustainability (SEAS), sits down with our hosts to discuss where we’ve come from and where we’re going now. 

What is DEI to you?

“Working to ensure
that people who have
been underrepresented
due to injustice and
prejudices have
access to the same
opportunities and
resources and are
valued.”

– Sonia Joshi in the University of Michigan’s DEI Strategic Plan Report

Sonia Joshi joined the University’s DEI team 3 years ago and has been embedded within the SEAS program ever since. As the first ever DEI program manger of SEAS, she’s been pivotal in the creation and implementation of DEI programming and training within the school. In this week’s show, Joshi begins by breaking down the differences between diversity, equity, and inclusion, explains how she picks her battles so to say, and addressing the “moment” DEI is having right now, specifically in academia.  

Joshi also walks us through a bit of the history of DEI and why it is so crucial by reflecting on the history of the United States and the legacies of traditional research. As she notes, all science has bias since all scientists have bias, and traditional structures have prioritized some forms of knowledge and research over others. Now, DEI practitioners, advocates, allies, scholars, etc. ought to be moving away from tokenism and performative or surface-level DEI incorporation. Instead, we should work on ensuring systematic change and solutions by leveraging our partnerships and privilege in substantive ways. It’s ultimately the goal of DEI initiatives to ensure that people aren’t just at the metaphorical table but are also having their input and their voices heard, understood, and given weight. 

Looking forward, Joshi explains her optimism regarding the DEI field and its endless intersections with other disciplines, specifically the environmental field. As she puts it, the coming years of DEI will continue to ground DEI in reality, support frontline communities, center and empower historically-marginalized voices, and work on changing culture in meaningful ways. 

For information or support, contact the SEAS DEI office here:

SEAS Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Dana Building
Second Floor, Office 2575, 440 Church St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1340

Phone: 734-936-0900

Email:  seas-dei-office@umich.edu

Or connect with the University’s campus-wide DEI office:

Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Fleming Administration Building
Third Floor, Office 3084, 503 Thompson Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1340

Phone: (734) 764-3982

Email: diversitymatters@umich.edu

Elders Climate Action

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Elders Climate Action

 
 
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Elders Climate Action, a ‘spinoff’ of Elders Action Network, is an organization focused on promoting the environmental activism of older folks, making sustainable behaviors more accessible, increasing the visibility of elders working in the environmental field, and providing a space for elders to organize. The organization is growing rapidly with 9 chapters around the country and several more in the process of being recognized. Founded in 2017, the Ann Arbor Chapter of ECA has focused on educating, mobilizing, and engaging with local elders and their families on several fronts. 

Joe Ohren, co-founder and chair of the Ann Arbor chapter, life-long environmental activist, grandfather of 7, retired college professor, and “amateur expert” on composting joins our hosts in the studio to discusses his role in the organization. Drawing on his years of expertise in the field of local government management and his experience with political protest, Ohren speaks on his time as a community leader and advocate. 

A key focus of the ECA Ann Arbor Chapter has been removing the barriers of participation for communities to participate in sustainability efforts and environmental activism. A prime examples would be the recent food composting project, made possible but a grant from the Sustaining Ann Arbor Together program. Though this project, ECA is working to increase access for local people to compost and promote education about the process. 

Reports have indicated that, in the United States, between 30-40% of all food produced ends up in landfills. This leads to massive amounts of waste and methane gas in landfills. A potential solution to this issue is composting, however the City of Ann Arbor currently only collects compost for 8 months of the year (mid-March to mid-December) and also exclusively serves single family homes, not commercial properties nor multifamily buildings. Furthermore, many residents remain without composting bins or the knowledge of how to compost. This campaign targets all of those issues through policy advocacy, educational materials, and subsidizing composting tools. 

“…like many people, I feel some sense of responsibility for how we got to where we are…”

Looking forward, Ohren notes that the elder community is working for the future of our grandchildren. He explains that elders may have the time, ‘the wisdom to make good decisions’, and the motivation to actively participate in change on a much wider scale than is currently acknowledged. To address this and affect change on a larger scale, ECA’s new promote the vote campaign seeks to grow political efficacy of environmentally minded non-voters to increase. The first step towards collaboration with other organizations, local engagement, effective mass mobilization, and coalition building may just be realizing that “there’s a lot of people like Joe out there.”

To connect with Joe: joe.ohren@gmail.com

To get more information about ECA and how to get involved: info@eldersclimateaction.org

For information on composting food waste.

Drew Lathin on Creating Sustainable Landscapes

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Drew Lathin on Creating Sustainable Landscapes

 
 
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You’ve probably heard the phrase “native plants” before, but what does that really mean? How long does a plant need to be around to be considered “native”? Drew Lathin, a life-long gardener and founder of Creating Sustainable Landscapes LLC was kind enough to join us in the studio to talk to us about the benefits and importance of native plants and provide some recommendations for local Michiganders who want to set up a more sustainable landscape in their own yards. 

Drew Lathin founded Creating Sustainable Landscapes LLC in 2012 to promote a return to and reestablishment of sustainable landscape design. A focus of his is on native plants, or those that were here prior to European colonialism. Lathin points out the seemingly endless benefits of native plants, the legacies of indigenous land stewardship, how we might rehabilitate and foster the health of natural areas, and what #BigHorticulture doesn’t want you to know about the native plant movement. 

Drew Lathin with It’s Hot in Here hosts Prachiti Dhamankar and Isabelle Brogna.

As Lathin explains, a return to native plants and a more sustainable landscape can promote a healthy ecosystem from the bottom up, support pollinator populations, protect endangered populations, and provide for native wildlife. They can also look beautiful, save you time and money, and it’s easier than you think! As we face a mass extinction, it’s more important than ever to going the movement, tune in to learn where to start!

NY Times: The Insect Apocalypse is Here

The Guardian: Plummeting insect numbers ‘threaten collapse of nature’

The Music of Spring

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The Music of Spring

 
 

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This week’s episode features three University of Michigan music students discussing their spring compositions and performances. Rachel Epperly, a composition undergraduate, begins the show with a piece of hers called “Time Arrives.” Donia Jarrar spoke to us about her recent composition work, Seamstress. And Taya König-Tarasevich, pictured, spoke about the three flutes she’ll play in her Masters Recital.

After the live broadcast, we were able to record Taya playing another piece from her repertoire. As a bonus, you can listen to that here:

Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris: Feelings that Connect Us All

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Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris: Feelings that Connect Us All

 
 

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Remember that edgy “out there” episode of Its Hot in Here where talented artists sang live tunes from the Tony Award winning musical Urinetown, while talented scientists talked to us about  research  on “peecycling” (or the recovery on nutrients from urine for use in agricultural fertilization?)  Along the way we considered infrastructure (including urinals!) in our greenways and parks, and how more art and science can be showcased in our public spaces.

Well,  they’re back. For the dead of winter spring break in our studios we welcomed the talent behind the  Penny Seats Theatre Company’s recent cabaret style show  Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris.  Fresh from their sold out, critically acclaimed performances at the downtown pub Connor O Neill’s, we head from guests including cast members Lauren London and Roy Sexton, show director Laura Sagolla, and musical director Richard Alder.

Jacques Brel is a famous Belgian singer-songwriter who wrote his songs in French during the 1960s. Through his art he became extremely well-known in France, to the degree that the French recognize Brel the way Americans know Bob Dylan or JoniJacques_Brel_Is_Alive_Cast_Recording Mitchell. The show, originally produced in 1968 off broadway, is a revue of Jacques Brel’s music and explores the universal emotions of love, loss, fear, obsession, and hope. Brel’s work is laden with pathos, yet also lighthearted. Continue reading Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris: Feelings that Connect Us All →

Distilled Spirits, the Michigan Way

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Distilled Spirits, the Michigan Way

 
 

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Our hosts Alex Truelove, Ed Waisanen, and Bailey Schneider  wrapped up our three part series, “Please, Drink Sustainably” with a vibrant discussion on distilled spirits with distiller and marketing director at Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks, Michigan, Nick Yoder, and co-owner and operator of Cafe Zola in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Alan Zakalik.

Journeyman Distillery is an Organic Spirits Distillery, located in the EK Warren Historic Featherbone Factory, in Three Oaks, Michigan. They offer a variety of organic spirits such as vodka, gin and rum but mainly focus on whiskey.  The spirits are distilled, bottled, labeled, and packaged at their distillery. Journeyman Distillery puts a strong emphasis on maintaining sustainability in their practices from their location in a historic reclaimed factory to their spirits. This distillery started four years ago and has focused on being a sustainable and innovative business ever since. The spirits are made using certified organic ingredients sourced from the local farmers. The Journeyman Distillery Tasting Room offers a variety of food items, all made with organic ingredients from local farms.

Screen Shot 2015-11-22 at 10.31.31 PMNick helps Journeyman Distillery share the tales of its journey with the world. Nick is in charge of raising customer awareness and bringing consumers to the distillery to experience the spirits first hand. He pridefully proclaims to have extensive knowledge of spirits from his experience of distilling once a week.

Screen Shot 2015-11-22 at 10.32.03 PMAlan Zakalik has owned and operated Café Zola alongside Hediye Batu since 1996.  Alan and Hediye deliberately choose their suppliers to ensure that they serve the highest possible quality of food and beverages. Alan emphasizes that they try to buy local and organic when possible. Café Zola has an exquisite bar menu and serves many craft liqueurs. Alan discussed traditional polish cherry liqueur making, something that anyone can do at home.

Sustainability in the local alcohol industry has remained a constant throughout this series. Producing distilled spirits requires more energy than beer and wine production, and almost of the water used in the distillation process ends up as waste. To combat this, many local distillers are purchasing grain from local organic farmers, reusing liqueur barrels, and turning their waste into energy.

Michigan’s Wine Industry, Uncorked

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Michigan’s Wine Industry, Uncorked

 
 

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Our second segment in the three part series, “Please, Drink Sustainably” takes our hosts Alex Truelove, Becca Baylor, and Rebecca Hardin to the vineyards of Michigan with the help of Black Star Farms‘ managing member and winemaker, Lee Lutes, and principal and co-founder of 5 Lakes Energy, Liesl Clark.

Continue reading Michigan’s Wine Industry, Uncorked →